Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real

Full of interviews, secrets of the trade, I enjoyed reading this volume.

The Imagineers, who have been put together by Walt Disney himself from his staff of animators, put their imagination and engineering expertise to work, making their movies in three-dimension. Anyone who visits Disney World, Florida will immediately note that not a detail gets by them where there is no cultural or graphic response to the scenery. All parts are integral, and the Imagineers recognize this. Some of the most wonderful aspects of their work is in the smallest detail, so as not to stand out, instead, it blends into the environment (like it should). The book is set up into parts of the varying departments of the Imagineers, in the stages in which they prepare a project. Like Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas' book 'The Illusion of Life' they do not fail to recognize good work from a particular artist. Even here, in the lesser known trait of architecture and engineering, the names are noted as any famous artist, which is refreshing and respectable for the artists in their own respective fields to be continually influenced by their peers. A wonderful book that is easy to read, does not burden the reader with too much technical jargon, and easy to appreciate the many pictures of their work. Certainly Disney enthusiasts will enjoy this book, as well as a prospective Imagineer.

This is the BEST book I have EVER read. I'm 14 years old and ever since I came back from Walt Disney World in 1999 after seeing the Millennium Celebration, I have wanted to be an architect for Walt Disney Imagineering. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Disney or wants to be an Imagineer. It has inspired and motivated me to be the best I can be and to look at everything as an oppritunity to see and learn new things. I have never wanted to be an Imagineer more since reading this book. It gives you a beautiful and rare collection of WDI drawings and paintings and what it's like to be an Imagineer. They explain the jobs there and tell you what it was like to work for some of their biggest projects. I was sad when I finished this book! Each page motivated me to turn to the next and keep reading until my eyes fell out! There are inspiring quotes from Walt Disney and the Imagineers themselves. The the Best and Only book on Walt Disney Imagineering.

If you are looking for a book to explain how Disney makes the magic come to life, you've found the right book! This book is filled with fantastic photographs, sketches, paintings, and other products of Disney's Imagineering. A "coffee table book" actually worth reading! The Imagineers give away a lot of their secrets, but don't expect to learn it all. Just when you think you've cracked the Imagineer's vault, they change the subject on you. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a "behind-the-scenes" look at how the Disney parks were made into the wonderful places they are today.

This is an absolutely fantastic inside look at the design process of Disney Imagineering. The book details the past, present and future projects along with great anecdotes from the Imagineers themselves. The book is also filled with rich pictures, illustrations, and sketches from projects both built and left on the "shelf". As one who wishes to pursue a thempark design career, this book acts as a great reference tool and both inspires and motivates your creative juices.-Ken G.